NEW DELHI: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw firing drills involving nuclear-capable “super-large” multiple rocket launchers. The state media on Friday reported that these drills were intended to demonstrate North Korea‘s capability for preemptive attacks on neighbouring South Korea.
These firing exercises seem to refer to what South Korea identified as a barrage of ballistic missile test-launches conducted by North Korea on Thursday.Experts highlight that North Korea’s large artillery rockets blur the lines between artillery systems and short-range ballistic missiles. This is because they generate their own thrust and are guided during flight.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the recent weapons tests are a clear indication of North Korea’s determination to carry out a preemptive strike on South Korea if it feels threatened. Kim Jong Un stated that these drills “will serve as an occasion in clearly showing what consequences our rivals will face if they provoke us.”
KCNA accused South Korea of staging a “clumsy counteraction of dangerous armed demonstration against the exercise of legitimate sovereign right” of North Korea. This accusation was in reference to a South Korean aerial exercise conducted just hours before North Korea’s unsuccessful spy satellite launch on Monday night. Had it succeeded, North Korea would have placed its second spy satellite into orbit.
The multiple rocket launchers are a significant part of North Korea’s arsenal aimed at South Korea. North Korea claims that the weapons fired from these launchers can carry tactical nuclear warheads.
State media photos showed Kim Jong Un observing at least 18 projectiles being launched from trucks. South Korea’s military had earlier reported that North Korea fired about 10 suspected ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast.
The unsuccessful spy satellite launch by North Korea was strongly condemned by the US, South Korea, and others. The UN bans any satellite launches by North Korea, viewing them as a front for testing missile technologies. However, North Korea insists it has the right to conduct satellite launches and missile tests.
In recent times, North Korea has been actively conducting weapons tests to enhance its nuclear capabilities, addressing what it perceives as growing US military threats. Foreign experts believe that North Korea aims to use its expanded nuclear arsenal to gain greater concessions from the US in future diplomatic engagements.
(With inputs from agencies)
These firing exercises seem to refer to what South Korea identified as a barrage of ballistic missile test-launches conducted by North Korea on Thursday.Experts highlight that North Korea’s large artillery rockets blur the lines between artillery systems and short-range ballistic missiles. This is because they generate their own thrust and are guided during flight.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the recent weapons tests are a clear indication of North Korea’s determination to carry out a preemptive strike on South Korea if it feels threatened. Kim Jong Un stated that these drills “will serve as an occasion in clearly showing what consequences our rivals will face if they provoke us.”
KCNA accused South Korea of staging a “clumsy counteraction of dangerous armed demonstration against the exercise of legitimate sovereign right” of North Korea. This accusation was in reference to a South Korean aerial exercise conducted just hours before North Korea’s unsuccessful spy satellite launch on Monday night. Had it succeeded, North Korea would have placed its second spy satellite into orbit.
The multiple rocket launchers are a significant part of North Korea’s arsenal aimed at South Korea. North Korea claims that the weapons fired from these launchers can carry tactical nuclear warheads.
State media photos showed Kim Jong Un observing at least 18 projectiles being launched from trucks. South Korea’s military had earlier reported that North Korea fired about 10 suspected ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast.
The unsuccessful spy satellite launch by North Korea was strongly condemned by the US, South Korea, and others. The UN bans any satellite launches by North Korea, viewing them as a front for testing missile technologies. However, North Korea insists it has the right to conduct satellite launches and missile tests.
In recent times, North Korea has been actively conducting weapons tests to enhance its nuclear capabilities, addressing what it perceives as growing US military threats. Foreign experts believe that North Korea aims to use its expanded nuclear arsenal to gain greater concessions from the US in future diplomatic engagements.
(With inputs from agencies)